Product Description

Gibson has always been about blending innovation and tradition, so there's no better addition to the 120th Anniversary celebrations than this creative re-think of the radical Explorer. Combining time-tested tonewoods, versatile pickups, and the full measure of Gibson USA craftsmanship with one of the most revolutionary guitar designs ever to hit the scene, the Explorer 120 delivers shows topping looks, superb playability, and versatile tones to take you center stage in a surprisingly wide variety of musical styles.

The Explorer 120 begins with a Grade-A mahogany body cut to the angular profile of this trend-setting axe. The glued-in Grade-A neck is carved to the fast, slim profile that so many rockers love, with a bound one-piece Grade-A rosewood fingerboard with frets over binding and dot inlays. The traditional "droopy" six-a-side headstock has a mother-of-pearl Gibson logo, and there's a commemorative "120th Anniversary" banner at the 12th fret. Vintage tones with contemporary performance come from Burstbucker Pro Rhythm and Lead pickups, made in the image of the original PAF humbuckers with mismatched coils for characteristic bite and depth. A chrome Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece partner with Mini Grover tuners for solid sustain and efficient tune ups. The Explorer 120 is finished with hand-sprayed high-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer and comes protected in an elegant brown hardshell case.

Body Language

Ahead of its time in the late '50s, the Explorer remains a radical statement even today.

Pickup Line

Burstbucker Pro Rhythm and Lead pickups offer vintage PAF-style tones with modern performance.

Banner Year

Commemorative "120th Anniversary" banner at the 12th fret shows you're in on the celebrations.

If you have additional warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer at 800-4GIBSON

zZounds Expert Review

This 120th anniversary model of the classic explorer guitar stands out with additions like a banner inlay on the 12th fret and neck binding. Aside from the cosmetic aspects, this Explorer uses BurstBucker Pro pickups, delivering the type of sound you'd expect from a Les Paul in a classic Explorer body.

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"Wow!"

Overall:
I know this is a lot for an Explorer but it truly is worth every penny. This is not the "normal" slim 60s neck (my LPs and SG). It's a bit slimmer feeling and very fast. It is the bound neck which to me always feels better, could all be in head. The workmanship is fantastic. It's a stunning cherry red and a gorgeous slab. It's flawless and has the "new guitar smell!" It is very well balanced physically and literally screams when overdriven and cleans up VERY nice actually! I've gigged twice with it now and it's truly a pleasure to play. My main axe is a MusicMan JPBFR which is awesome, versatile and a completely different beast but of the 16 guitars that I own and 6 of them being Gibsons, this one is really exceptional. It also must be noted that it came out of the box nearly perfect for play. Usually Gibs need some adjustments. The only change that I made was lowering the bridge a bit and the E and G needed a very slight intonation adjustment. Neck is perfect! Also, the volume taper is very usable (I did not expect this) and allows for some quick sonic adjustments without going all wooly on you The 120 is not hype, it's one of the finest guitars I've ever owned!

Style of Music: I play a large assortment of rock styles but studied Jazz. I'm a rocker at heart.

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"Explorer 120"

Overall:
I have 6 Explorers. I bought this one because of the binding on the neck. This is a rare feature on an Explorer and I think it looks particularly cool against the Cherry Red finish. I would have bought this as part of a "Limited Run" even if Gibson still had the regular Explorer in their production line up. Since they have not been producing the regular Explorers for a couple of years now, this makes this one even more special.
The quality, fit and finish etc on the guitar is stunning, absolutely perfect...even though I opted for the "Blemished" option on the zzounds web site !! Saved myself 500 bucks !
The neck shape is as described, definitely one of the slimmest and fastest of my Explorers and the guitar set up very easily with a very few minor adjustments to truss rod and bridge. Plays like a dream, sounds absolutely killer.

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What Our Customers Are Saying About zZounds "I've spent a lot of time researching, both online and in the retail shops, and can't find a better deal than at zZounds. This price is very good for new gear, and zZounds is also one of the few I've seen where I can purchase a blemished model at a discount." - Customer on December 28, 2014

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A temporary customer reference number is assigned to each customer only while they are shopping on zZounds.com. If you call our customer service department for assistance, this number makes it easier for us to answer any questions you have about products, services or purchases.

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